Rotary pocketed target



May 1 2, 1959 F. E. TARTE, JR 2,886,321

ROTARY POCKETED TARGET Filed Jan. 9; 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4Sheets-Sheet 2 May 12, 1959 E. TARTE, JR

' ROTARY ,BOCKETED TARGET Filed Jan. 9, 1957 May 12, 1959 F. E. TARTE,JR 2,836,321

' ROTARY POCKETED TARGET Filed Jan. 9, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AN A! III!United States Patent ROTARY POCKETED TARGET Franklin E. Tarte, In,Media, Pa.

Application January 9, 1957, Serial No. 633,353

15 'Claims. (Cl. 273-105) The present application constitutes acontinuation-inpart of U.S. application Ser. No. 371,603, filed July 31,1953. and now abandoned.

This invention relates to game devices in which target receptacles areprovided and scoring plays are made by throwing or tossing a missile,such as a ball, through the target receptacles.

One object of this invention is to provide a novel game device whichafiords recreation and amusement and which is conducive to thedevelopment of skill on the part of the players. The device is adaptablefor use in public places and it may be coin-controlled if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable targetreceptacle apparatus which has a plurality of integral targetreceptacles through which a missile, such as a ball, may pass, resultingin scoring plays.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a game device wherein avariable test of skill is possible. One means of varying the skillrequired is to provide target openings of the target receptacles whichcan be easily and quickly varied to accommodate the skill and wish ofthe player or players, thereby making the target openings of the targetreceptacles either larger or smaller. In this arrangement the target ispreferably maintained stationary during use. Alternatively, however, amoving target is employed and such a target may provide a variable testof skill simply by variation of the speed of movement even with openingsof equal size.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement wherebythe rotatable target unit may be variously driven to bring the targetreceptacles successively into a target position in confronting relationto a playing position. Alternatively, the rotatable target unit may becontinuously driven to provide a moving target.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a game device according to the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken centrally of the device;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on line 33 of 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the basket rims;

Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the spring detent devices employed toremovably retain each basket rim;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5';

Fig; 7 is a sectional elevational view of the driving mechanism for therotatable target unit;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view similar to Fig. 3 but showing amodified form of the invention.

Referring first to Figs; 11 andi3, in the form of the device shown arectangular baseboard 10 is mounted on side supporting rails 11 andserves to support the entire structure of the device. Asmay be seentinFig. 2,. the rear- 2,886,321 Patented May 12, 1959 ward portion of thebaseboard 10 is horizontal while the forward portion is slightlydeclined forwardly to serve as a runway for the returning missiles, suchas balls, used in the playing of the game. At the front end of thebaseboard there is a retaining wall 12 to stop the returning missiles.

At the rear portion of the baseboard 10 there is a housing 13, which isclosed at its top, bottom, sides and rear, but which has a relativelylarge rectangular opening 14 in its front wall 15. Disposed mainlywithin the housing or enclosure 13 is a rotatable target unit designatedgenerally by reference numeral 16. The target unit comprises a hollowstructure 17 which includes an upstanding wall of polygonal shapehorizontally, which structure 17 is mounted for rotary movement about asubstantially vertical axis. In the form shown, the upstanding wall isof pentagonal shape horizontally so that it has five vertical facesdesignated respectively 18 to 22. At its bottom the structure 17 isprovided with a mounting hub 23 which is secured to a rotatable verticalshaft 24 as by means of pin 25. The top of structure 17 is apertured toreceive a fixed stud 26 held by a set screw 27 in a supporting bracket28 which is secured to the front wall 15 of housing 13, as by means ofsecuring bolts 29. The supporting shaft 24 is driven by means of a drivemechanism designated generally by reference numeral 30, which will bedescribed later.

The upstanding wall of structure 17 serves to support a plurality oftarget receptacles, there being five such receptacles in the illustratedembodiment designated respectively 31 to 35. Preferably, the targetreceptacles are in the form of baskets which are substantially replicasof the basket commonly employed in the game of basketball. The basketsare secured to the respective vertical faces 18 to 22 of structure 17,which faces serve as backboards for the baskets. Preferably, the basketsare of progressively decreasing size so that they have target openings.of progressively decreasing size. Extending from the structure 17entirely about the same is an outwardly declined apron 36 havingapertures therein through which extend the lower portions of thebaskets. Extending radially from the apices of the pentagonal structure17 are vertical walls 37 to 41 which serve cooperatively with the apron36 to provide individual alcoves for the baskets, as may be clearly seenin Fig. 1.

As may be seen in Figs 1 and 2, a forwardly declined platform 42 extendsforwardly from the front wall 15 of housing 13, and at the front of theplatform 42 there is a transverse elongate opening 43. The platform 42has an arcuate edge 44 at which there is mounted an arcuate wall orbaffle 45 which is in close proximity to the outer edge of apron 36.Beneath the platform 42, and extending rearwardly from the opening 43 isa forwardly declined runway 46. As may be seen in Fig. 3, the runway 46has rearward extensions 47, the purpose of which will be explainedpresently.

In operation of the device, the target unit 16' is rotated to bring thetarget receptacles or baskets successively into a target position inconfronting relation to a playing position in front of the device. Inthe position of the target unit shown in the drawings, basket 31 is inthe target. position in confronting relation to the playing position. Itis desired that anindication be given whenever a thrown missile passesthrough a target receptacle, and for this purpose micro-switch 48 (-seeFigs. 2 and 3) is mounted on runway 46 by means of a bracket 49. Themicro-switch is actuated by a lever 50 pivoted at 51 on wall 15. Thelever 50 has an arcuate portion 52 which underlies the path of movementof the baskets forwardly of the wall 15. A missile, or. ball, passingthrough a forwardly disposed. basket. will drop to the front of thedevice. continuously, the arcuate portion 52 of the switch-actuatinglever will assure that the switch will be operated be seen.

' quarters of play is declared the winner.

1 3 onto the arcuate portion 52 of lever 50 and thus actuate switch 48.After striking the arcuate portion 52 the missile will drop onto therunway 46 and roll forwardly If the target unit is driven throughout therange of said portion. The switch may serve to energize an indicatinglamp 53 which may be mounted on bracket 54 behind a window opening 55 inwall 15. However, the switch may also serve to operate an electricalcounter.

The purpose of extensions 47 on runway 46 may now drop onto one of theextensions 47 and roll forwardly.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the baskets arereadily removable to enable revshown in Figs. 4 to 6. Each basketcomprises a rim 56 having extending parallel arms 57 terminating in pinportion 58 each having a groove 59 therein. Each of thebasket-supporting faces of structure 17 has a pair of apertures 60 toreceive the pin portions 58 of the basket rim, and on the inside of eachface in association with the apertures there is mounted a springretainer 61 of the form shown inFig. 5, the .retainer being held by ascrew 62. It will be seen that the retainer has two inwardly extendingarms 63 which are adapted to seat in the grooves 59 when the pinportions 58 are inserted through the wall apertures. Thus, the springretainer 61 serves to lock the rim to the wall until such time as therim is removed. While a particular removable mounting is provided foreach basket, as just described, the invention contemplates any suitablearrangement.

, Before considering the structure and operation of the drive mechanism30 (Fig. 2) for moving the target unit, it is advisable to have clearlyin mind the preferred way of using the device in the playing of thegame. In the illustrated embodiment there are five baskets which decrease in size progressively beginning with the largest basket 31 andending with the smallest basket 35. Baskets 31 to 34 may represent thefour playing periods or quarters of a basketball game, and basket 35 mayrepresent an additional playing period or quarter which is only playedin the event of a tie. Starting with the largest basket in targetposition, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, each player or team of players takesa prescribed number of shots at the basket 31. In making the shots theball may be tossed or thrown in any desired manner, for example in themanner of tossing or throwing darts. If desired the throwing or tossingof balls may be done by a mechnical device rather than directly by theplayers. After all of the players or teams have completed their shots atbasket 31, thus completing the first quarter of playing, the sameprocedure is followed with each of the baskets 32, 33 and 34 in thetarget position. The player or team having the highest score at the endof the four In the event of a tie an extra quarter may be played withthe fifth target 35 in target position.

The game may be played using various modes of actuation of the rotatabletarget unit which are afforded by the drive mechanism 30 shown in Figs.7 to 9. The target unit may be actuated in response to any one of fourcontrol switches to give any one of the following five operations:

(1) Movement of the target unit from one position to another to moveone'basket out of target position and to move the next basket intotarget position.

(2) Automatic intermittent movement of the target unit to effectautomatic movement thereof from position If a thrown ball should dropfrom a basket at about an end of the arcuate portion 52, the ball may toposition, with each basket remaining in the target position for apredeterminedtime interval.

(3) Continuous slow movement of the target unit through a completerevolution, so that the baskets move continuously at a slow rate oftravel and move successively through the target position.

(4) Continuous rotation of Y the target unit through more than onerevolution.

(5) Continuous rotation as in either paragraphs 3 or 4 abovebut with thespeed of movement variable.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9, the drive mechanism 30 (Fig. 2) forsupporting the driving shaft 24 of the target unit may take the form.shown, as now to be described. The lower end of shaft 24 is supported ina sleeve bearing 64 which is seated in a recess 65 in a supporting basemember 66 formed of insulating material such as wood. The lower end ofthe shaft rests on a ball 67 disposed atthe bottom of the recess, whichserves as a' thrust bearing. The shaft extends vertically through acasing 68 which has an aperture 69 to accommodate the upwardly extendingshaft. Within the casing 68 the shaft has an enlarged portion 70providing upper and lower shoulders against which the hubs 71 and 72 ofgear 73 and member 74 abut. The latter are loose on the shaft for apurpose presently to be described. Collars 75 and 76 are secured to theshaft, as by means of screws, and serve cooperatively with theabove-mentioned shoulders to retain the gear 73 and member 74 againstmovement longitudinally of the shaft.

Mounted in spaced relation to the shaft 24 is a short vertical shaft 77which is journaled in bearing 78 supported by a bracket 79- Secured tothe upper end of shaft 77, as by meansof a screw, is a double gearmember 80 having gear sections 81 and 82. Secured to the lower end ofshaft 77, as by means of a screw, is a member 83 having a crank arm 84which forms with member 74 a Geneva drive. Fixedly secured to bracket 79is an upwardly extending pin 85 which serves to rotatably support a gearmember having a pinion section 86 and a worm gear section 87, saidmember being rotatable on a sleeve bearing 88 The worm gear 87 mesheswith a worm 89 on the shaftof a driving motor 90 which is mounted onbracket 91.

It will be seen that gear 73 is driven continuously by the motor 90 aslong as the latter is in operation, and the crank arm 84 is also drivencontinuously by the motor. Thus, gear 73 is driven through the train ofgears comprising pinion 86 and' gear sections 81 and 82. The crank arm84 is driven through pinion 86 and gear 81.

The crank arm 84 has a depending pin 92 and a sector 93. In associationtherewith is the other part 74 of the Geneva drive. As will beunderstood, in this known form of drive, rotation of the crank arm 84efiects rotary stepping movement of member 74 each time the pin 92enters one of the slots 94. In the intervals between the steppingmovement of member 84 the latter is held stationary by engagement of thesector 93 with one of the arcuate surfaces 95.

It will be seen from the foregoing that as long as the motor 90 is inoperation, the gear 73 is continuously ro tated while member 74 isactuated in a step-by-step movement. It will be recalled that gear 73and member 74 are loose on shaft 24, and as now to be described, anarrangement is provided for selectively coupling gear 73 and member 74to the shaft, thereby to effect either continuous rotary movement of theshaft or intermittent movement thereof. The hubs 71 and 72 of gear 73and member 74 respectively are provided with recesses 96 and 97 whichare adapted respectively to receive pins 98 and 99 on a slidabl'ecoupler 100. The latter is slidable on the enlarged portion 70 of theshaft and is splined thereto by a spline projection 101 on the shaftengaging a splinerecess on the coupler. The coupler has spaced flanges102 and 103 between which a shifting pin 104 is disposed. The-pin iseccentrically disposed ona circular head 105 at the inner end of a shaft106, the said end being rotatably supported in a stationary support 107.As may be seen in Fig. 2, the shaft 106 extends forwardly of the gamedevice to the front thereof, through apertures in walls 15 and 12 bywhich it is rotatably supported. At the front end of the shaft 106 thereis provided a knob 108 by means of which the shaft may be manuallyrotated. The knob 108 is adapted to be posiioned in three discretepositions at right angles to one another as indicated by the indicia onthe front of wall 12 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the knob 108 carriesa spring-pressed indexing ball 109 which is biased forwardly by spring110 and which is adapted to enter a recess provided in wall 12 at eachof the above-mentioned positions. When the knob 108 is in the verticalposition, as shown in Fig. 7, the coupler 100 is not in engagementeither with the gear 73 or with member 74, and, therefore shaft 24 isnot driven. When the knob is moved to its right-hand position, thecoupler 100 engages gear 73 and couples it to the shaft 24. When theknob is moved to its left-hand position, the coupler 100 engages member74 and couples it to the shaft 24.

The electrical elements and connections for control-ling the operationof the motor 90 are shown in Fig. 7. Intermittent actuation of shaft 24,is effected through operation of relay 111 and the Geneva driveabove-described. Remembering that there are five targets on the targetunit in the illustrated embodiment, there are correspondingly fivesections on the member 74 of the Geneva drive. In the stopped conditionof the device prior to commencement of a game, the target unit ispreferably in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and the parts of theoperating mechanism are in the positions shown in Figs. 7 and 8.Rotation of knob 108 to its ileft-hand position as above-describedelfects coupling of shaft 24 to the Geneva drive. Closure of push-buttonswitch 112 energizes relay 111 through a circuit extending from terminal113, through the relay winding, through switch 112, and through closedcontact elements 114, 115 and 116 to the other supply terminal 117.Contact elements 114 and 1161 are stationary elements, While switchelement 115 is in the form of a disk mounted on shaft 106 and insulatedtherefrom, the disk constantly engaging element 116 and having a button115a which engages element 114 only when the knob 108 is in itsleft-hand position. The closure of the contacts 118 of relay 111completes an energizing circuit for motor 90, which circuit extends fromterminal 113 to the motor and then through contacts 118 and the closedcontact elements 114, 115 and 116 to the other terminal 117. As soon asthe motor starts, the crank arm 84 commences to rotate counterclockwiseas viewed in Fig. 8, and pin 92 leaves an aperture 119 in a stationarymetal disk 120 supported by screw 121 which .is held by the base member66. Engagement of the lower end of pin 92 with the disk 120 completes acircuit branch about the switch 112 through connection 122 and the metalparts of the mechanism and through closed contact elements 123 and 114.Element 123 is a pin on shaft 106 which engages element 114 when theknob 108 is in its left-hand position. Thus, it is only necessary tohold switch 112 closed for a very short interval until pin 92 moves outof the aperture .119 and completes a branch circuit about the switch asjust described. The operation of the Geneva drive eifects movement ofthe target unit from one position to the next position. At the end of acomplete revolution of crank arm 84, pin 92 again enters to the nextposition in the manner just described.

When it is desired to effect automatic intermittent movement of thetarget unit from one position to another,

switch 124 is closed andremains closed until such time as it is desiredto stop the operation. This switch shortcircuits switch 112 and alsorenders the above-described 'branch'circuit ineffective. The relay 111isenergized through a circuit extending from terminal 113 through therelay Winding, through switch 124, and through the closedcontactelements 114, 115 and 116 to terminal 117. The relay remainsenergized until such time as switch 124 is opened, and the Geneva drivemoves the target intermittently, each basket remaining in the targetposition for a predetermined period of time depending upon the speed ofrotation of arm 84. Upon opening of switch.124, the mechanism will .stopwhen pin 92 arrives at-aperture 119.

When it is desired to'efiect continuous movement of the target unitthrough one complete revolution, the knob 108 is turned to itsright-hand position, and push-button switch 125 is closed. This switchcompletes an energizing circuit for relay 126, which circuit extendsfrom terminal 113, through the relay winding, through switch 125, andthrough closed contact elements 127, 115 and 116 to terminal 117.Element 127 is a stationary contact element which is engaged by thebutton 115a of element 115 whenever knob 108 is in its right-handposition. The closure of relay contacts 128 completes an energizingcircuit for motor which extends from terminal 113 through the motor,through closed contacts 128 and through elements 127, and 116 to theother terminal 117. As soon as the motor starts, the rotation of gear 73effects closure of a micro-switch 129 which was held open by aprojection 130 on the side of gear 73. Closure of the microswitch 129closes a circuit branch about switch which may then open. The energizingcircuit for relay 126 then extends from terminal 113 to the relaywinding, through conductor 131 to switch 129, and through the contactelements 127, 115 and 116 to terminal 117. The target unit then rotatesslowly through a complete revolution until switch 129 is opened bytheprojection cm gear 7 3.

Continuous rotation of the target unit through more than one revolutionmay be effected by closing switch 132 which'is connected in shuntrelation with switch 129. Relay 126 is then energized independently ofswitch 125 through a circuit which extends from terminal 113, throughthe relay winding, through conductor 131, through switch 132 and throughthe closed contact elements 127, 115 and 116 to terminal 117. The targetunit will then rotate slowly until such time as switch 132 is opened andthe projection 130 on gear 73 opens switch 129.

The modified arrangement shown in Fig. 10 wherein all of the baskets areof the same size is particularly adapted to this last form of continuousmovement. As will be seen by a comparison with Fig. 3, all parts are thesame as in Fig. 3 except the baskets which are designated 31, 32, 33',34, 35 and all of which are the same size. Thus, in this case where theskill involved is not merely hitting a target but hitting a movingtarget, particularly, where time of play is unlimited, it is ofadvantage to keep the baskets the, same size. An element of variationcan still be provided, however, by providing a multiple speed drive,through a gear shifting arrangement, multiple speed motor, etc., andsuch an arrangement can'even provide for periodic automatic increases inspeed of rotation.

As shown by the foregoing description, the first four switches. 112,124, 125 and 132 control the four modes of operation of the target unit.These switches may .be located on wall 12 at the front of the gamedevice, as shown in Fig. 1. Switches 112 and 125 are push-buttonswitches which are spring-biased to open position so that they open uponrelease. Switches Y124 and 132 may be conventional toggle switches.Additional switching will, of course, have to be provided for multiplespeed operation, but various means of accomplishing this will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art.

From the foregoing description .it will be seen that the presentinvention provides a game device embodying desirable features, and themovable'target unit of which may I be variously operated asabove-described. While a particular embodiment of the invention has beenillustrated and described, the invention is not limited thereto, but

contemplates such further embodiments and modifica- 7 tions as may occurto persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a game device having a unique playing position, a target unitmounted for rotary movement about a substantially vertical axis spacedfrom said playing position,

a plurality of target receptacles on said unit in surrounding relationto said axis having target openings disposed substantially horizontallywhich are brought successively into a target position in confrontingrelation to the playing position by rotary movement of said unit,whereby a player in the playing position may throw one or more 'missilesat each target opening, vertical walls on said unit defining individualalcoves for said receptacles and having deflecting surfaces by which themissiles may be deflected into the target openings, and a housingshielding at least half of the rotatable target unit from the playingtarget receptacles are in the form of baskets.

6. In a game device having a unique playing position, a target unitmounted for rotary movement about a substantially vertical axis spacedfrom said playing position, said unit comprising a structure ofsubstantial depth and including an upstanding wall, baskets mounted onsaid upstanding wall in circumferentially spaced relation about saidsubstantially vertical axis so as to be brought successively into atarget position in confronting relation to the playing position uponrotation of said unit,

whereby a player in the playing position may throw one or more missilesat each basket, and a housing shielding at least half of the rotatabletarget unit from the playing position.

7. The game device of claim 6 in which the target openings are all ofthe same size and are adapted to be continuously moved during the courseof play.

8. The game device of claim 6 'in which the target openings are ofprogressively decreasing size.

9. A game device according to claim 6, further comprising an outwardlydeclined apron extending from said structure entirely about the same andhaving apertures through which the lower portions of the baskets extend,and vertical walls extending outwardly from said upstanding wall incircumferentially spaced relation about said substantially vertical axisand serving cooperatively with said apron to provide individual alcovesfor the baskets.

10. In a game device, a target unit mounted for rotary movement, aplurality of targets on said unit which are brought successively into atarget position in confronting relation to a playing position by rotarymovement of said unit, drive means to impart rotary movement to thetarget unit, means to establish discrete positions of said unit in eachof which a target is in the target position, manually-operable means toinitiate movement of said unit, means responsive to operation of saidlast means to efifect movement of said unit from one discrete positionto a second discrete position so as to move one target out of targetposition and to move the next target into target position, meansassociated with the drive means assuring that each successive targetwill stop in target position, and means operative upon arrival of saidunit at said second position to automatically stop the movement of saidunit.

11. In a game device, a target unit mounted for rotary 8 broughtsuccessively into a target position in confronting relation to a playingposition by rotary movement of said unit, drive means to impart rotarymovement to the target unit, means to establish discrete positions ofsaid unit in eachof which a target is in the target position,

means associated with the drive means assuring that each successivetarget will stop in target position, a push-button, means responsive tomanual operation of said push-button to effect movement of said unitfrom one discrete position to a second discrete position so as to moveone target out of target position and to move the next target intotarget position, and means operative upon arrival of said unit at saidsecond position to automatically stop the movement of said unit.

12. A game device according to claim 11, wherein the means for movingsaid unit includes a motor-operated Geneva drive mechanism.

13. In a game device, a target unit mounted for rotary movement, aplurality of targets on said unit which are brought successively into atarget position in confronting relation to a playing position by rotarymovement of said unit, a motor for driving a target unit, manuallyoperable means to initiate movement of the motor and a Geneva drivecoupling the target unit to the motor in order to effect automaticintermittent rotary movement of said unit to effect positioning of eachtarget in said target position for a predetermined time interval, saidcoupling assuring that every target will stop in succession in targetposition.

14. In a game device, a target unit mounted for rotary movement about asubstantially vertical axis, a plurality of target receptacles on saidunit in surrounding relation to said axis having respectively difierentsized target openings disposed substantially horizontally which arebrought successively into a target position in confronting relation to aplaying position by rotary movement of said unit, a motor for the targetunit, manually operable means to initiate movement of the motor, and aGeneva drive coupling the target unit to the motor-in order to effectautomatic intermittent rotary movement of said unit to effectpositioning of each target in said target position for a predeterminedtime interval, said coupling assuring that every target will stop insuccession in target position whereby a player in the playing positionmay throw one or more missiles at each target opening.

15. In a game device having a unique playing position, a target unitmounted for rotary movement about a substantially vertical axis spacedfrom said playing position, a plurality of target receptacles on saidunit in surrounding relation to said axis having target openingsdisposed substantially horizontally which are brought successively intoa target position in confronting relation to the playing position byrotary movement of said unit, manually operable means to initiatemovement of said unit, means responsive to operation of said first meansfor driving said unit slowly through a single complete revolution toeffect movement of each target slowly through said target position,whereby a player in the playing position may throw one or more missilesat each target opening, means operative upon the arrival of said unit atits starting position to automatically stop the movement of said unit,the means for automatically stopping movement being inaccessible to theplayer, and a housing shielding at least half of the rotatable targetunit from the playing position.

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